Fort fireworks set for Friday

People wanting to see fireworks this Fourth of July can head to Fort Leavenworth for the Army post's annual Independence Day celebration.

JOHN RICHMEIERjrichmeier@leavenworthtimes.com

People wanting to see fireworks this Fourth of July can head to Fort Leavenworth for the Army post's annual Independence Day celebration.

The fireworks show will begin at dusk, or around 9:30 p.m., Friday at Merritt Lake. But, there will be other festivities leading up to the fireworks, fort spokeswoman Denise Haeussler said.

Children's games will be available beginning at 4 p.m. Food vendors also will open for business at that time.

A classic rock band, Frisk, will begin performing at 6 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., there will be a Salute to the Union during which cannons will be fired 50 times, once for each state.

Haeussler said the fireworks show should last 20-30 minutes.

The event is open to the public. People 16 and older will need to have valid identification to enter the post.

There is no admission for the event. There will be fees for food purchases and some activities.

Haeussler said there will be no reserved seating around Merritt Lake.

"It's first come, first serve," she said.

She said people are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

Parking spaces for the general public will be available at Frontier Conference Center, Gruber Gym, Post Theater, Combined Arms Research Library and garrison headquarters. There will be 20 handicap parking spaces available at Post Theater.

After the fireworks show, Grant, Hancock and Sherman gates will be open for outbound traffic.

If there's inclement weather Friday, the fireworks show will be rescheduled for Saturday.

The Henry Leavenworth Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution also will be hosting a ceremony Friday at Fort Leavenworth.

The group will dedicate a plaque at 10:30 a.m. at the gravesite of Henry Leavenworth at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

The plaque will provide information about Leavenworth's involvement in two battles of the War of 1812.

People also may want to celebrate Independence Day by setting off fireworks on their own. But, most fireworks, including what are known as class C fireworks, are illegal in the city of Leavenworth. Some small items such as smoke balls or toy paper caps are allowed in the city.

In some cases, Leavenworth police officers may issue a warning, but they also can write a citation that will require an appearance in Municipal Court, said Maj. Dan Nicodemus, Leavenworth Police Department deputy chief.

"It really depends on the situation," he said.

He said a person who is creating a dangerous situation with fireworks should not expect to receive only a warning.

Police officers also can confiscate fireworks.

The city of Lansing allows fireworks, but there are restrictions on when they can be discharged. The use of sky lanterns and bottle rockets are prohibited.

Other fireworks can be discharged in Lansing from noon to 10 p.m. today and noon to 11 p.m. Friday.

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